Casino – A Brief History of Gambling
Casino is one of Martin Scorsese’s most violent movies, with scenes of torture (using a vice), an attempted car bombing (by De Niro), and even the death by overdose of Sharon Stone’s character. It also portrays corruption in all its forms, with tendrils reaching from the Vegas mob to politicians, Teamsters unions, and even to a Midwest mafia based in Kansas City.
Gambling, in all its forms – from a casual game of dice with a friend to high-stakes blackjack at a fancy casino – has been part of human civilization for millennia. In fact, the earliest evidence of gambling dates back to 2300 BC China, when archeologists discovered wooden blocks used for games of chance. Dice were introduced in Rome in 500 AD, and poker was adapted in the 1400s.
Like any other business, casinos make money through the sale of products and services to customers who gamble. This includes a wide selection of casino games, such as slots, roulette, blackjack, video poker and more. Most of these games have a built-in advantage, which ensures that over time the house will win more than it loses to customers. This advantage is known as the house edge.
Aside from the games themselves, casinos provide many other amenities to their patrons. For example, some offer restaurants and bars, spas and fitness facilities, and hotel rooms for those who want to spend a little more than just an evening at the tables.
